Foreplay (The Ivy Chronicles #1)(54)

I couldn’t help sliding a look to Logan. Clearly, he was listening, too, if the interested expression on his face signified anything. He was probably wishing he could meet this Hannah.

Stepping off the elevator, I teased, “You want to ask them for Hannah’s number?”

He chuckled as we stepped outside into the brisk morning. The wind cut sharply at my face and I wished I had taken the time to throw a jacket and scarf over my sweater. “She does sound interesting, but no thanks. I’m more of a traditionalist.”

I didn’t bother pointing out that sleeping with a different girl every week didn’t exactly qualify as traditional. We slid into the car and I turned on the heat as soon as I started it.

“So,” I began as I pulled from the parking lot. “Your brother know where you are?”

His smile shifted into something smug and catlike. His stare turned knowing, and I had to fight the urge to fidget.

“Why don’t you just ask me what you really want to know?”

“W-what do you mean?” I stammered.

“You want to know everything about my brother. Admit it.”

“I don’t want to know everything.” Just the key parts.

“Well, I can tell you that he’s seriously into you.”

“How can you tell that?” I demanded before realizing that I should maybe try to act like I didn’t care either way.

“There haven’t been a lot of girls. I mean, clearly he’s no me.” I snorted and rolled my eyes. He flattened a palm to his chest and winked. “But there have been a few. Nothing like you though.”

“And what am I like?”

“You, Pepper, are the kind of girl a guy brings home. Which is why I guess Reece never got involved with your type before. We don’t have much of a home to bring girls home to. Our old man is a piece of work. Even before his accident, he was bitter and foul-mouthed. Hell, I don’t know what flew faster—his fists or the empty beer bottles he threw at us.”

My hands clenched around the steering wheel. A familiar sour feeling rolled through me. It sounded like his childhood was no better than mine. A different poison, yes, but poison was poison. “He sounds great.”

“Yeah. A real prince.”

“You mentioned an accident.” Reece hadn’t called what happened to his father an accident. He blamed himself. “What happened?”

“He wrapped his truck around a tree. Broke his spine.”

A car crash? How was that Reece’s fault? I moistened my lips. “Reece said something. It sounded like he thinks he’s responsible.”

Logan looked at me sharply. “He said that to you?”

I nodded.

Logan swore. “It wasn’t his fault. The old man blames him, but it’s bullshit. Reece didn’t come home for spring break to work, and Dad wrecked his truck driving home after closing up. In his mind, if Reece had been there he wouldn’t have been driving that night.”

My mind reeled as I pulled into Mulvaney’s parking lot. I guessed we all had our crosses to bear. Except Hunter. He only ever knew a loving family. Parents that stood by their children and protected and supported them. “That’s not right.”

“Nope,” Logan announced, a tightness in his voice hinting that he had a lot more to say on the subject of his brother dropping out of school and sacrificing his future. “I wouldn’t have done it. I’m more selfish, I guess. Once I graduate, I’m out of here. Gonna live my own life. Hopefully, Reece will, too. He won’t have me to worry about anymore at least.”

“You think he’ll go back to school?”

He shook his head. “No, he enjoys running the bar. He didn’t at first, but it’s in his blood. Our grandfather opened it and made it what it is. The business had been in decline with Dad. Things have picked up since Reece took over. He’s been talking with different banks about opening a second location. My dad will flip his shit. He doesn’t like change. But I doubt that will stop Reece. He’s determined.”

I pulled up to the back door, wishing I had driven slower. Everything Logan said revealed a new side to Reece, confirming that he was more than I first assumed.

Opening the door, Logan hesitated. “Thanks for the ride.”

“You’re welcome.”

His eyes, so like Reece’s, fastened on me. “My brother is a good guy, you know.”

I nodded, unsure what to say to that.

“I heard you came over and took care of him when he was sick.” I nodded once, warmth flushing my face. “He deserves someone like you.”

Embarrassed, I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and looked out the windshield. “That’s nice of you to say, but you don’t know me at all, Logan.” I wasn’t someone who was going to save his brother. Even if I wanted to, it wasn’t in me to save anyone. I could barely save myself.

“Maybe I can see you better than you think.”

“I don’t think so.”

“All right then. Fine. Maybe I don’t.” Something in his voice pulled my attention back to his face. His pale eyes cut into me. “But Reece does. He sees you. He wouldn’t be wasting his time with you otherwise.”

My fingers tightened on the steering wheel. “You’re making a lot of assumptions here. It isn’t like that between us. Reece and I are barely friends.”